300 



OPERATIONS ON MUSCLES AND THEIR ANNEXES. 



These 

 operation. 



the incision outward, right across the entire width of the muscle. 

 The incision must run through the entire thickness of the organ 

 and ought to be made by a single stroke of the instrument. The 

 first incision is to be made about three fingers width from the base 

 of the tail ; the second from one inch and a half to two inches 

 back of it, and the third, if not considered unnecessary, at the 

 same distance from the second. Owing to the tapering form of 

 the tail, the incisions should become shorter as they approach the 

 end of that member. When aU. the incisions are made on the 

 right side, the operator, if ambidexter, changes hands and re- 

 verses his mode of manipulation, proceeding otherwise in the 

 same manner as before, being careful that all the incisions are 

 made directly in line with one another, entirely across the 

 muscle. 



first three incisions constitute the first step of the 

 If the division of the muscle has been made through 

 its entire thickness, the portions of tissue be- 

 tween the incisions will slightly protrude, and 

 these are to be seized with the buU-dog forceps, 

 and drawn over to one side, while they are care- 

 fully dissected away with the convex bistoury, 

 placed flatwise, under the muscle, 

 with the sharp edge turned up- 

 ward, and separating entirely the 

 two portions of muscles included 

 between the incisions. The amount 

 of muscular tissue thus removed 

 will measure from three to four 

 inches in length. 



The number of the incisions varies. At first 

 one was considered sufficient, but the number was 

 gradually increased to five, while at present com- 

 mon agreement has fixed the rule at three. 



2. The Operation by Longitudinal Incisions. — 

 This is comparatively an old mode of operating, 

 which, having been once abandoned, was revived 

 by Delafond, in 1833, when it was again reinstated 

 in general practice. It requires for its perform, fig. aito—Can- 

 ance only a strong, convex bistoury. The animal ^^'^ Myotomy by 

 being secured in the usual position, and the taU ^stonr**'"^' ^' 



Fig. 316. — Trans- 

 versal Incisions in 

 Caudal Myotomy. 



